Ancillary commercial storage at Vincent Yard, Vincent Road, Margate

What was proposed

The application sought commercial storage ancillary to Unit 1, retaining two containers and a toilet block, boundary treatments and replacement western fencing.

“LOCATION: Change of use of land from agricultural to commercial storage ancillary to Unit 1, together with retention of 2no. storage containers and toilet block, retention of existing boundary treatments and replacement of gate with fencing to western boundary (part-retrospective)”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site is a rear yard beside a former agricultural building, with countryside, industrial units and nearby homes around it.

“Vincent Road is a mixed agricultural and residential street in the countryside. It forms a lane connecting parts of Margate and Ramsgate/Broadstairs. The application site comprises a rear yard behind a former agricultural building to the western end of Vincent Road that is now believed to be in use for furniture making (known as Unit 1 directly to the front of the site).”

“To the north of the site is a sand school and open countryside. To the east is Unit 2 which is a larger industrial unit that appears to be in operation. There are mobile homes stored to the rear and this has a similar parking apron to the front. To the south are open countryside and fields, with horses grazing.”

Officer report

Earlier use and applications

An earlier retrospective application was refused, an enforcement notice was served and an appeal remains pending; the land use later ceased.

“An enforcement notice was served by the Council on 12 May 2025 in respect of the on-going use and activities at the site, and required the cessation of the use and removal of all unauthorised structures and containers. The applicant has appealed the Notice, seeking to retain all the containers, fencing, the toilet block and the compounds at the site, but not the change of use itself. This is pending consideration by the Planning Inspectorate.”

“F/TH/24/1196 - Change of use of land from agricultural to commercial storage and installation of open storage and compound with structures and 2.4m high palisade fencing (retrospective application). Refused 15/04/2025. Enforcement notice served. Appealed (APP/Z2260/C/25/3367382). Pending consideration.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A supporter, an objector, a councillor under the council procedure rule and a parish councillor speaking for the parish council addressed the committee.

The committee vote

The chair proposed and the vice chair seconded approval of the officer recommendation, and the motion was agreed.

“The Chair proposed and the Vice Chair seconded to APPROVE the officer recommendation, subject to the following conditions:”

Minutes

The decision and conditions

The application was approved subject to conditions controlling the use, storage, tools, access, lighting, biodiversity and cesspool arrangements.

“No commercial, industrial or manufacturing processes shall take place within the application site except for those permitted by Class B8 of the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 (or any Order revoking and re-enacting that Order) and no mechanical and/or hand tools shall be used in the open air or within the storage containers hereby approved.”

“Storage of materials, plant, and equipment, shall take place solely within the approved metal shipping containers. No storage of materials, plant or equipment shall take place within the open air.”

Minutes